Based on the novel by
Jurek Becker
Screenplay by
Peter Kassovitz and Didier Decoin
Music Composed by
Edward Shearmur
Theatrical Release Date
September 24, 1999
DVD Release Date
March 21, 2000
Production Companies
Blue Wolf Productions, Kasso Inc. Productions, Tristar Productions
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures
During World War II in Nazi-occupied Poland, poor Jewish café owner Jakob Heym accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin signaling Soviet military successes against German forces. To fight the incredible depression and suicide rate throughout the ghetto, Jakob relates fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. These lies keep hope and humor alive among the ghetto's inhabitants. The Germans learn of the mythical radio, however, and begin a search for the resistance hero who dares to operate it.
Jakob
Yesterday, Churchill addressed the Polish people.
Prisoner
In Polish?
Jakob
You want the news or don't you?
Lina
The Russians aren't coming, are they?
Jakob
Would I lie to you about something like that?
Robin Williams
Jakob Heym
Hannah Taylor-Gordon
Lina Kronstein
Bob Balaban
Kowalsky
Alan Arkin
Max Frankfuther
Michael Jeter
Avron
Jamos Gosztonyi
Samuel
Liev Schreiber
Mischa
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Kirschbaum
Jakob the Liar Main PageArticle ::: Robin the LiarArticle ::: Robin's Wife InsuranceArticle ::: Tears of a Clown
When all hope was lost, he invented it.
He will make you believe.
Dates
October 12, 1997 - December 19, 1997
Locations
Budapest, Hungary
Lodz, Poland
Piotrkow, Poland
Canada
September 16, 1999 (Toronto Film Festival)
Taiwan
October 16, 1999
France
October 20, 1999
Germany
Switzerland
October 28, 1999
Australia
November 4, 1999
UK
November 5, 1999
Austria
Spain
November 12, 1999
Italy
Norway
November 19, 1999
Argentina
November 25, 1999
Japan
December 4, 1999
Malta
January 5, 2000
Malaysia
January 6, 2000
Netherlands
February 3, 2000
Poland
February 11, 2000
Hungary
April 13, 2000 (video premiere)
Iceland
May 3, 2000 (video premiere)
South Korea
September 23, 2000
Austria / Germany
Jakob der Lügner
Spain
Ilusiones de un mentiroso
Illusions d'un mentider (Catalan title)
Finland
Jakob - Valehtelija
Italy
Jakob il bugiardo
France
Jakob le menteur
Romania
Jakob mincinosul
Brazil
Um Sinal de Esperança
Colombia
Una señal de esperanza (cable TV title)
Israel
Yakov Ha-Shakran
This title is available on:
DVDVideoBookPoster 1Poster 2
Robin was also the executive producer of this film.
Budget
$45,000,000
Gross
$4,956,401 (USA)
N/A (international)
$4,956,401 (total)
Opening Weekend
$2,056,647 (1,200 theaters)
Widest Release
1,200 theaters
Razzie Awards
Nom - 2000 - Worst Actor (Robin Williams)
